Dispar Anthias

Dispar Anthias (Nemanthias dispar, often listed as Pseudanthias dispar) is a reef safe anthias known for peach-to-orange coloration, with males showing stronger red highlights in the fins. It’s an active mid-water swimmer that spends most of the day in the open, especially where current is strongest.

What You’ll Observe:

• Hovering and “holding position” while facing into the flow
• Quick, repeated dashes into the water column at feeding time
• Small social displays and spacing changes as a pecking order forms
• Regular use of the same mid-water “lanes” during the day

Provide open swimming room with rockwork nearby for quick shelter and sleep spots. Plan for multiple small feedings of fine meaty foods and/or small pellets spaced through the day to match their natural plankton-picking style. Maintain steady, reef-normal parameters and consistent daytime flow so they stay out and active.

Will Dispar Anthias do better alone or in a small group?
Many hobbyists keep them singly, but they’re often more “out in the open” when kept as a small group where social behavior spreads attention.

Do Dispar Anthias change from female to male?
Like many anthias, the dominant fish can develop male traits over time when the social structure allows it, especially in groups.

Why is a new Dispar Anthias hovering in a corner or swimming vertically?
This is commonly reported right after introduction; they often settle as they learn the tank’s flow patterns and safe zones.

Can I mix Dispar Anthias with other anthias species?
Mixing can work in larger systems, but hobbyists typically have the smoothest results when keeping one anthias “type” per tank unless there’s ample space and clear feeding coverage.

How do people handle daytime feeding if they aren’t home?
A common approach is training them onto small pellets and using an auto feeder to deliver tiny portions on a schedule, then adding frozen foods when you’re home.

Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.